NBA Playoffs 2023

[bello_man09]

Nothing about Memphis has impressed me this season. Nothing.

they are not playing well- Ja seems a little off not sure if its the hand. I hate to give credit to lakers but maybe they are better than a 7 seed.

[Chief]

Nothing about Memphis has impressed me this season. Nothing.

they are not playing well- Ja seems a little off not sure if its the hand. I hate to give credit to lakers but maybe they are better than a 7 seed.

Memphis is probably a 7th seed talent team with Adams and Clark both out.

[Phantom255x]

Have to say, overall this has been a very fun first round so far.

And you usually don't say that about first rounds in the NBA. But a lot of great matchups (especially in the West), back-and-forths, etc. Only part that sucks of course is all the injuries

[SparzWizard]

Have to say, overall this has been a very fun first round so far.

And you usually don't say that about first rounds in the NBA. But a lot of great matchups (especially in the West), back-and-forths, etc. Only part that sucks of course is all the injuries

Mainly the West. Yeah the Suns/Clippers went from full-hype to watered down thanks to the injuries. At least Kings/Warriors are the next interesting one. If GSW wins tonight then I think GSW will win the next two.

[Phantom255x]

Have to say, overall this has been a very fun first round so far.

And you usually don't say that about first rounds in the NBA. But a lot of great matchups (especially in the West), back-and-forths, etc. Only part that sucks of course is all the injuries

Mainly the West. Yeah the Suns/Clippers went from full-hype to watered down thanks to the injuries. At least Kings/Warriors are the next interesting one. If GSW wins tonight then I think GSW will win the next two.

Yeah I feel the same way. But if SAC wins, then I think SAC can win even by the next game

[Phantom255x]

Brunson has become a legit star with the Knicks. He definitely wouldn't have if he stayed in Dallas

Idk if some of it is the overreliance of the Cavs on Mitchell for offense, but the Knicks defense has also been fantastic this series. They are just stifling the Cavs and making things very tough on them. May be another low-scoring half for the Cavs today

[RodyTur10]

The New York Knicks are a big surprise to me. They seem on their way to beat Cleveland and they may be able to get passed either Miami or Milwaukee to reach the CF. They will make it competitive.

[hpantazo]

Disappointing showing by the Cavaliers. They don't have any key injuries either and the Knicks are on the verge of putting them in a 3-1 hole.

[hpantazo]

The New York Knicks are a big surprise to me. They seem on their way to beat Cleveland and they may be able to get passed either Miami or Milwaukee to reach the CF. They will make it competitive.

I think it's due to Thibs defensive focus. Defense wins in the playoffs

[RodyTur10]

The New York Knicks are a big surprise to me. They seem on their way to beat Cleveland and they may be able to get passed either Miami or Milwaukee to reach the CF. They will make it competitive.

I think it's due to Thibs defensive focus. Defense wins in the playoffs

You're right. The hustle and defense that the Knicks display is something very few teams can match.
They're containing Mitchell with team defense. That's something the Celtics have never been able to do.

It would be wrong to attribute this to individual performances. So I disagree a bit with Phantom255x about Brunson. 
It's a lot about scoring opportunities. Remove Tatum from the Celtics and we know that either White or Brogdon is able to pick up the ball handling and they will shoot and score more because someone has to.

[Phantom255x]

Big half coming up. Really feels like whoever wins this half right here and the game will win the series

[Vermont Green]

I am not sure if I overrated CLE or underrated NYK but NYK is on the verge of taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.  Not what I expected.  CLE today has give up more ORebs (13 to 6) and has more turnovers (11-8).  That is resulting in 8 more shots by NYK at about the 9:00 mark of the 4th.

Game isn't over yet by any means.  Mitchell is going to have to hit some big shot for them down the stretch.

[SparzWizard]

Call me crazy but is it crazy to think the Knicks are (or could be) the most dangerous team in the East?

[SparzWizard]

The New York Knicks are a big surprise to me. They seem on their way to beat Cleveland and they may be able to get passed either Miami or Milwaukee to reach the CF. They will make it competitive.

I think it's due to Thibs defensive focus. Defense wins in the playoffs

Would be nice to have Tom Thibs as our head coach. This guy runs and schemes defense like a maniac. He's the second reason why the C's won in '08, behind the Big 3. He's also another reason why we got to the NBA Finals in 2010.

[Who]

Brunson has become a legit star with the Knicks. He definitely wouldn't have if he stayed in Dallas

If I recall correctly, I saw a stat the other day for the players who spend the most time on the ball. Both Luka and Brunson were in the top 5 in the league. Luka #1.

Brunson could not play how he has played in NY next to Luka. Nor am I convinced he can maintain this play if NY manages to put better quality players around him. I would expect a drop-off although still being a very valuable player even with a drop-off.